Pompano Lands Giant Wal-mart

POMPANO BEACH — Wal-Mart is going to build a store here -- one that makes history in Broward County -- that city officials are comparing to the football field at Pro Player Stadium.

But this will be much, much bigger.

The 230,233-square-foot building includes the retail store and a grocery section.

Don't forget the Tire and Lube Express that will provide services such as battery installation, oil change, tire sales and windshield-wiper installation that will share that space.

Add another 18,103-square-foot area attached for the outdoor garden center.

And there will also be a self-service gas station with eight pumping sites, vending machines, bathrooms and an ATM. That square footage hasn't even been decided yet.

The Wal-Mart Supercenter will be the largest Wal-Mart in Broward County, said Susan Motley, Wal-Mart's attorney.

It's just about 20,000 to 30,000 square feet larger than two Wal-Marts that are expected to be built in Coral Springs, she said. Coral Springs commissioners approved both projects earlier this year, despite protest from residents, including one who threatened to sell her house.

Once the Pompano Beach and two Coral Springs centers open, they will be the only Wal-Mart Supercenters in the county. The closest one now is located in Florida City.

Although the Pompano Beach Wal-Mart, which will be at the corner of Atlantic Boulevard and Powerline Road, will be open 24 hours a day, the tire and lube store will close 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5 p.m. Sundays.

"It adds to your tax base," said Commissioner E. Pat Larkins, soon after the City Commission approved a zoning request from the store so it could be built. "It's good anytime a business comes into your neighborhood."

"I don't know what it's going to do about the traffic, but I think it's great," said Vice Mayor Herb Skolnick. "It's great because it develops a large piece of empty land."

Commissioner Kay McGinn wasn't as sure. Echoing sentiments across the country about the store's arrival changing small-town character, McGinn said she worries smaller shops will be hurt by the competition.

"It may hurt initially some mom-and-pop shops, but [I hope] overall some businesses will be able to provide services that the super Wal-Mart will not be able to provide," she said. "And our concern is it won't be attractive on Atlantic Boulevard."

"We're constantly in the process of expanding our services," said Daphne Davis, the company's spokesperson at its headquarters in Arkansas. "Clearly this is a step in that direction."

Motley, Wal-Mart's attorney, said if all other city requirements, such as the building permit and site plan approval, go through as planned, the store could be open by the end of next year. She said the opening of this Wal-Mart Supercenter will not affect its other Pompano Beach store on Copans Road.

Officials said that the store could generate about 500 jobs.

Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4557.